"The president's into someone from the Shinomiya family? You're not joking?"
Takamine Rinji froze for a moment at her words.
"You think I'd lie to you?"
"…President Shirogane seemed like a smart guy. Why would he go after someone like that? Was he traumatized or something?"
"I didn't get it either. Back when we were both on the student council—I was the treasurer and he wasn't even president yet—he looked all depressed because he couldn't get her attention."
"Didn't he consider the odds? Even if they hit it off, the Shinomiya family…"
"They'd definitely try to tear them apart. No way they'd let their precious heiress be with a commoner. If necessary, your president could be in real danger."
"Yeah, I figured."
"The Shinomiya family is seriously deep-rooted. Even I've heard of them. Ruthless to the core."
"Oh? More ruthless than me?"
"…No comparison. At least they think about consequences. You don't even bother with that—like confessing to a girl you barely knew and getting rejected…"
"Enough already…"
Takamine Rinji clutched his chest, stopping Ryuju Momo from causing him more emotional damage.
"I'm about to break."
"Serves you right."
Resting her chin in her hand, Ryuju Momo turned away grumpily and muttered,
"You ignore the girl who knows you best, and confess to one you barely know… Seriously."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing."
She waved dismissively, clearly not wanting to repeat herself.
"Back to the topic. Even if President Shirogane's relationship somehow works out, it's still shaky. Who knows what the Shinomiya family would do."
"Yeah, I get it."
Takamine Rinji put out his cigarette on the ground and smiled as he sat cross-legged in front of her.
"Looks like as the treasurer under the president, I'll have to shoulder the responsibility of protecting him."
"Honestly?"
"More like, I get to use it as an excuse to mess with the Shinomiya family again—sounds fun."
"You haven't messed with them enough? That incident got pretty big." Ryuju Momo sighed. "I heard the Shinomiya family was planning to eliminate the troublemaker who wrecked a bunch of their assets, but suddenly backed off."
She hadn't realized back then that the troublemaker was Takamine Rinji.
"Probably because the 'Senate' intervened. They originally planned to wipe the Shinomiya family out completely, but Uncle Sagara stepped in to stop them. After all, IW still has major holdings in Japan."
Takamine spoke casually, almost bored.
"Of course, I stepped in too. I mean, what's the fun if I don't do it myself?"
"…So your identity really isn't that simple. I should've known four years ago."
"It's very simple. My family runs a farm. I'll bring you a watermelon from our fields next time—pretty tasty."
"I'll look forward to that."
Ryuju Momo suddenly smiled.
"Because you'll have to come see me here every day after school."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because you're officially in the astronomy club." She waved his signed application form. "In other words, you're mine."
"…So what does the astronomy club actually do?"
"There are no activities."
"And the members? I only ever see you."
"They can't come up here. I've reserved the rooftop. From now on, it's just you and me up here."
"…"
---
Knock knock knock.
"Come in."
"Excuse me."
While organizing documents in the student council office, Miyuki Shirogane heard someone knock and called them in. The person who entered was, of course, Takamine Rinji.
"President, does the student council still have any work left?"
"Ah, Treasurer Takamine. There's nothing urgent for now, but you're part of the student council too. It's totally fine to hang out in the office whenever."
Shirogane smiled as he spoke.
"Though, come to think of it, you're probably the only member who actually knocks before entering. Still getting used to that."
"Just basic manners."
As he spoke, Takamine glanced around.
"Fujiwara's not here, right?"
"Nope. Why? Are you afraid of her?"
"That soul-piercing woman is honestly terrifying, but I can handle it."
Seeing that only the president was in the office, Takamine casually picked a spot on the sofa and sat down.
He had just spent two hours on the rooftop chatting with Momo Ryuju, summarizing what had happened in the past four years. When she figured it was about time, she let him go, and he headed straight for the student council office.
At the moment, only Miyuki Shirogane was inside—Kaguya Shinomiya and Chika Fujiwara weren't around.
"What about the other two?"
"Kaguya's at Archery Club, doing her club activities. Fujiwara's at the Tabletop Gaming Club—probably still busy with theirs too," Shirogane answered.
"Tabletop gaming club, huh? I heard about that from the disciplinary committee. Apparently, it's one of those groups that constantly skirts the edge of school regulations."
"They're just a bit more lively than others," Shirogane chuckled. "But hey, shouldn't you also be at your club activities, Treasurer?"
"You know how it is with the astronomy club. You can't see stars during the day."
"...Fair enough."
"By the way, I heard some interesting things about you from Momo-senpai."
"Oh, well, back then we were both on the student council. I mean—"
"She told me about the girl you like."
"!!"
"Totally not the answer I was expecting, honestly."
"Wh-What are you talking about, T-Treasurer Takamine…?"
"President, you're sweating. Maybe have some tea to calm your nerves?"
"Oh, okay, th-thank you."
Takamine Rinji handed the teacup to Miyuki Shirogane, but his hands were trembling nonstop. The cup in his hand was shaking at a high frequency.
"President, try to calm down a bit. How about you take a deep breath?"
"I am calm! Very calm!"
"Alright then, I'll continue. Momo-senpai said that you might have some feelings for Miss Shinomiya..."
Splash!
Tea spilled from the cup and splattered onto Miyuki Shirogane's uniform.
"N-no! That's nonsense. I only admire Shinomiya for her capabilities—there's absolutely nothing more to it!"
"I see. As long as there's nothing more to it, that's fine. After all, you're aware of the Shinomiya family's situation. Let's not even get into whether someone like her would ever be interested in a poor guy. Even if you did get together, their family would do everything to break you up. There's no future in that... Here, take a tissue—don't cry."